Lived Experience Researcher

The study will be conducted across four areas in the UK including here at Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP)., The role of the Lived Experience Researcher in AWP is to engage individuals who have a diagnosis of psychosis and deliver this specialist peer-delivered intervention with close supervision from a clinical psychologist; working within NHS services; and clinical trials methodology. All training will be provided by the study team in GMMH and colleagues in AWP., To take an autonomous role in delivering the intervention in line with the treatment manual and study protocol, under the supervision of a clinical psychologist/psychological therapist, as part of the Let's Talk 2 Trial.
To establish a trusting and supportive relationship with those taking part in the Let's Talk intervention, recognising this may mean being prepared to face and negotiate differences in people's personal limits and boundaries, giving and receiving constructive feedback, seeking supervisory support when out of the peer session, a knowledge of relevant study and NHS Trust protocols and enacting on confidentiality limits. High levels of engagement with participants will be expected from the post-holder.
To have a highly developed working knowledge of the intervention manual and principles of peer support.
To attend and contribute to study fidelity rating meetings, supervision, and regular training sessions with other study staff members.
Good record-keeping will be needed, including updating patient records with trial progress and completing the recruitment database.
Good time management will be needed including demonstrating planning and organisation skills for management of diary and sessions with participants
You will need to follow standard operational procedures for the trial and AWP NHS Trust policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults and children.
Participants will be seen in clinic settings or at home across a large geographical area. This means there will be extensive travel which would be facilitated by having valid driving licence, and access to own or other independent means of transport
Attendance at co-reflection (supervision) will be expected, requiring self-awareness and an ability to focus on balancing the needs of self and others.
Attendance at appropriate research team meetings, including training at the lead site, Manchester
To maintain blinding and ensure research assistants working on the trial are able to conduct the research assessments blinded to the patient's allocation
Administrative duties related to the project.
Other duties appropriate to the grade as directed by the grant-holders.
Work within the guidelines set out by the Data Protection Act, the Code of Ethics, and with full understanding of confidentiality issues.
Contribute towards consistent and safe practices by being aware of and adhering to all the relevant Trust policies and procedures.

You will have lived experience of psychosis and experience of working in a relevant peer support role. We need to prioritise voices of those have had direct personal experience of psychosis themselves. Their insight is irreplaceable and must be respected directly, not solely through the lens of family.

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.